LIVERPOOL scientists have helped to answer one of the most important questions about the universe.

LIVERPOOL scientists have helped to answer one of the most important questions about the universe.

Staff and students from the University of Liverpool's department of physics have been working on a major international experiment at Stanford in California.

They have been investigating why the universe contains matter, the building blocks of life, but almost none of the opposite, anti-matter.

The experiment uses equipment partly developed by the university to study the behaviour of atomic particles known as B-quarks and anti-B-quarks.

The results confirm traditionally held theories that the two types of matter decay at very different rates.

Erwin Gabathuler, Professor of Physics at the University of Liverpool, said: "When the universe was created in what is popularly known as the big bang, there were equal amounts of matter and anti-matter.

"Today there is almost no anti-matter.

"Physicists assumed this was because anti-matter decayed more quickly, but they had no proof.

"Now this experiment has provided that proof, it is an important step forward in improving our understanding of how the universe evolved and we are pleased to have played a part in this."